Welch secured federal funding for Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital to construct new pharmacies in Vermont’s Northeastern Kingdom 

ST. JOHNSBURY, VT – Today, U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.) joined health care providers and community leaders for roundtable discussion at Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital (NVRH) to discuss the importance of rural and independent pharmacies. Senator Welch celebrated $1.4 million in new federal funding—which he championed and secured—to help build new pharmacies in Caledonia County and address the recent loss of pharmacies in Caledonia towns. 

“Local pharmacies are far more than a place to fill prescriptions—they’re a vital part of health care. That’s why I’m proud to have secured $1.4 million in federal funding for NVRH, which will help establish desperately-needed pharmacies in Caledonia County,” said Senator Welch. “I’ll continue working hard to support efforts here in the NEK to expand access to health care and affordable prescription drugs— and ensure Vermonters can easily reach a pharmacy right in their own county.” 

“We’re appreciative and excited to work with you to utilize these funds to address the pharmacy desert situation in the Hardwick community. We have our work cut out for us, but we’re committed to improving access to pharmacy services for our patients,” said Chris Towne, CEO, Northern Counties Health Care. 

“The pharmacy closures in St. Johnsbury sent a shockwave through our community. People were struggling to get their scripts filled on time, which meant they were canceling their surgeries. When the Hardwick pharmacy closed as well, we said, ‘OK this isn’t just the St. Johnsbury problem—this is a Northeast Kingdom problem. How do we leverage the relationship and the support we have through our Senator to meet these needs?’ These funds are going to help solve this problem for our communities and I’m so excited and grateful about that,” said Shawn Tester, CEO, Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital. 

View photos from the event below and on the Senator’s website:    

Over 28 Vermont pharmacies have closed permanently in the past few years, including two in Caledonia County—St. Johnsbury’s only downtown pharmacy in 2023 and Hardwick’s only pharmacy in 2024. There are only three pharmacies left in Caledonia County. NVRH has not yet determined specific sites for the pharmacies and will share details as planning moves forward. Senator Welch secured this funding through the Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS) process, formerly known as “earmarks”. In total, Senator Welch secured nearly $60 million in federal funds to support 38 projects throughout Vermont. 

Senator Welch has championed bipartisan initiatives to lower prescription drug prices for Vermonters. Senators Welch and Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) recently introduced the bipartisan Fair Prescription Drug Prices for Americans Act, legislation that would offer relief for millions of patients by prohibiting pharmaceutical companies from selling drugs in the United States at higher prices than an international average, ending the practice of forcing Americans to pay the world’s highest prices for medications.     

This Congress, Senator Welch has led the introduction of several bills to make health care more accessible and affordable for Vermonters, including the 340B Pharmaceutical Access To Invest in Essential, Needed Treatments & Support (PATIENTS) Act, Eliminating Thickets to Improve Competition (ETHIC) Act, Maximizing Opioid Recovery Emergency (MORE) Savings Act, Strengthening Medicare and Reducing Taxpayer (SMART) Prices Act, End Price Gouging for Medications Act, Creating Opportunities Now for Necessary and Effective Care Technologies (CONNECT) for Health Act, Fair Funding for Rural Hospitals Act, and the Rural Hospital Support Act. 

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